The bill would amend Part 435 (Hunting and
Fishing Licensing) of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act to
allow a disabled veteran to obtain a hunting or fishing license free of charge.

Currently, a disabled veteran is eligible
to purchase any senior hunting and/or senior fishing license. Under Part 435,
a Michigan resident who is at least 65 years old may obtain a senior restricted
fishing license or a senior all-species fishing license for a fee that is
discounted 60% from the fee for a resident license. In addition, Part 435
allows a resident who is at least 65 years old to obtain a senior small game
license, firearm deer license, bow and arrow deer license, bear hunting license,
wild turkey hunting license, or fur harvester's license. The fee for a senior
hunting license also is discounted 60% from the regular license fee.

Under the bill, a disabled veteran could
obtain any resident hunting or fishing license free of charge, instead of
purchasing a senior hunting and/or fishing license.

("Disabled veteran" means either
of the following:

--A
resident who has been determined by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to
be permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service and
entitled to veterans' benefits at the 100% rate, for a disability other than
blindness.

--A
resident rated by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs as individually
unemployable.)

MCL 324.43537 Legislative
Analyst: Julie Cassidy

FISCAL IMPACT

The bill would have a small, but negative
fiscal impact on the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Currently, as
noted above, disabled veterans may obtain a 60% discount on the following
hunting and fishing licenses:

·Small
game license

·Firearm
deer license

·Bow
and arrow deer license

·Bear
hunting license

·Wild
turkey hunting license

·Fur
harvester's license

·Restricted
fishing license

·All-species
fishing license

The bill would allow disabled veterans to
obtain those licenses, as well any other type of hunting or fishing license
under Part 435, for free. This would result in the loss of an unknown but
likely small amount of license fee revenue to the Game and Fish Protection Fund
and its various subfunds. In fiscal year 2010-11, the Game and Fish Protection
Fund received approximately $44.0 million from the sale of hunting and fishing
licenses. Revenue from the Game and Fish Protection Fund is used for
Department of Natural Resources administration and wildlife programs, and as
State match for Federal revenue.

Fiscal
Analyst: Josh Sefton

This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan
Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute
an official statement of legislative intent.